I pulled this quote from this article about the Ghery arena in BK that failed to come to fruition, its a great article over all about what architecture is and should be:

 

"But what’s most offensive about the design is the message it sends to New Yorkers. Architecture, we are being told, is something decorative and expendable, a luxury we can afford only in good times, or if we happen to be very rich. What’s most important is to build, no matter how thoughtless or dehumanizing the results. It is the kind of logic that kills cities — and that has been poisoning this one for decades."

 

Link to full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/arts/design/09arena.html?hp

One of the best articles I've read in a long time. Every politician in Cleveland should read this.

Great article: it's the mentality that has given us disposable buildings.  You can see it in  Cincinnati's master plan for its high schools. 

 

SPCA 1908          New construction/ new site (but plan to preserve the old building)

Hughes 1910        Renovation

Withrow 1919      Renovation (1974 addition torn down)

Western Hills 1928 Renovation

Walnut Hills 1931  Renovation (1959 addition torn down)

 

Woodward 1951    Demolish & replace/ existing site

Taft  1954          Demolish & replace/ existing site

Schroder 1956      Demolish & replace/ new site

Aiken 1960          Demolish & replace/ existing site

Clark  1970          Demolish & replace/ existing site